Luger, now known as Sweeney, remained silent for a long time. "I wish to die a glorious death as a warrior."
Lin Xiang couldn't help but laugh. "Don't you think it's too late?"
"You faltered when you should have been brave, and no amount of effort now can mend what's broken. Don't make rash decisions out of guilt or regret!"
Lin Xiang looked at the dejected Sweeney and shook her head, advising, "Live. There is hope only if you live."
"Since you could wait for the Old Gods to fall, who can guarantee that the New Gods will exist forever?"
Sweeney's mood remained low. Vivian, also from Celtic mythology, stirred long-forgotten memories that he had suppressed.
Lin Xiang's counsel did not dissuade him from his desire to die in battle. Sweeney quickly shook off the torment of his nightmare and, unyieldingly, tried to persuade Lin Xiang to return to the Old Gods' faction.
"Do you truly wish to see the New Gods arrogantly trample upon your dignity?"
Sweeney pointed at Bixie, who was indulging herself nearby. "She was once a noble queen. In her prime, even Solomon had to bow before her, becoming her lover at her feet."
"But look at her now. A goddess reduced to selling her body for faith! Doesn't that fill you with fear?"
Lin Xiang remained unmoved. "You only see her downfall, but you overlook her struggle."
"I rather admire her resilience in enduring humiliation for the sake of survival. Countless Old Gods who arrived in this land have vanished and perished, yet she still exists, which is the best proof."
Human desires twisted the gods of the past. They indulged their carnal impulses, and in their corrupt souls, pure love and beauty were hard to find. The union that creates life is pure in nature. Two lonely souls, guided by love, become one, supporting and encompassing each other—that is the true meaning of love.
People's definition of love has become increasingly superficial. Sensory pleasure is more sought after than the connection of souls. Under such a trend of faith, it is remarkable that Bixie can remain clear-headed and not be corrupted.
"She could have conformed to the faith and become a Queen of Joy revered by both New and Old Gods, but she chose to uphold the essence of love."
Lin Xiang looked at Sweeney earnestly. "In my opinion, whether as a leader or a deity, she is far more qualified than you!"
Sweeney was speechless. He sighed, "It seems I cannot convince you, Vivian. Take care."
"Of course, I don't wish to get involved in your troubles. My agreement with the New Gods' side is to remain neutral." Lin Xiang did not want to provoke Odin's hostility due to her identity as the Goddess of Dice, so she explicitly stated her position.
Sweeney, not suspecting that another deity was behind Vivian's guise, got up with a heavy heart and left.
Queen of Sheba, under the alias Bixie, had completed her sacrifice and approached Lin Xiang, radiant. "Are you here to cause trouble?"
"Not at all. Just a lost soul seeking guidance."
Lin Xiang subtly shifted the topic. "You seem very interested in him?"
"Although I don't know which deity he is, I saw his love begin to blossom again."
Lin Xiang suddenly understood. "I hope he doesn't repeat his past mistakes."
For the next period, Lin Xiang roamed various casinos, bestowing luck upon those who did good and punishing the wicked with misfortune. The power of destiny was further awakened, and Lin Xiang used this opportunity to recover her strength to the level of a mid-tier deity.
This was quite considerable. Mazu and the Goddess of Media, being the first tier of deities after Odin and Mr. World, also possessed only mid-tier divine power.
It had been some time when Lin Xiang returned to the Mazu temple in Chinatown. What pulled Lin Xiang out of the casinos was a letter sent to the Mazu temple by Ostara, the Goddess of Spring.
Ostara would be holding a grand celebration on Easter as Eostre, the Easter Goddess, and many deities would attend. The goddess had not forgotten Lin Xiang's contribution in rescuing Giselle and had specially sent an invitation via the rabbits.
Mazu commented on Lin Xiang's inexplicably enhanced power. Putting down her teacup, she said, "We don't celebrate Easter, but having more friends is always good."
Lin Xiang nodded. Whether for networking or to display her strength, it was necessary for her to attend.
On Easter day, Lin Xiang appeared in rare full regalia. Her lapis lazuli and amber inlaid hairpin emitted auspicious light, and her ancient, elaborate dress was layered so densely it was almost suffocating.
The dignified demeanor Lin Xiang maintained was abandoned the moment she entered the carriage pulled by a dragon. "This is too much."
Removing the hair ornaments, Lin Xiang simply tied her hair into a bun behind her head, secured it with a wooden hairpin, and then leaned back on the couch, tugging at her clothes.
Mazu smiled and put down the gift for Ostara, the Goddess of Spring. "Your strength should be seen by everyone. It will give them more confidence, and it will also secure your position."
The Eastern gods were few in number, with only Mazu holding the front line. Lin Xiang's sudden rise allowed the gods to stand taller. The current undercurrent of tension between the New Gods and the Old Gods made many weaker deities uneasy. The emergence of a powerful deity was undoubtedly a good way to stabilize people's hearts.
Mazu took out a qipao from her bag and unfolded it. The white qipao with blue trim was embroidered with patterns of magnolia and jasmine, elegant and refined.
Lin Xiang also excitedly changed into the qipao. Amidst Mazu's praise, she pulled the reins and soared into the sky.
Ostara's forest villa was newly decorated. The hydrangeas in the garden were in full bloom, with large and small colored eggs placed among the blue and purple clusters.
Lin Xiang arrived relatively early. Ostara was only conversing with a group of Jesuses of various appearances.
Lin Xiang found the Jesuses, who seemed to have a soft-focus effect applied, eye-opening. Was Christianity that fractured?
In this land with a not-so-long history, all foreign cultures were stewed into a big pot. Every civilization and race had its own Christian faith.
Lin Xiang watched as Jesuses with dark, white, and yellow skin raised their cups together to celebrate Easter, handing her gift to the rabbits with a stunned expression.
Ostara, wearing white, passed through a group of Jesuses and embraced Lin Xiang. Lin Xiang returned the embrace as a courtesy and couldn't help but ask, "Which faction do they belong to?"
The goddess smiled, linked arms with Lin Xiang, and led her to the lawn outside the garden. "They are a special kind. I'm not even sure if they still possess self-awareness."
Lin Xiang thought about it and agreed. If the gods of Christianity had their own thoughts, why would they cede this stage to the New Gods?
"They are completely controlled by faith," Ostara said, her smile unchanged. "As long as you don't actively attack them, they will not react to anything in the outside world."
The goddess picked up a glass of wine, swirled it, and drank it down. "These true saints will descend at the call of their believers, although they can only resurrect themselves and walk on water. Apart from offering spiritual comfort to their believers, their capabilities are very limited."